Lighting

January 12, 2020

You will have plenty of assistance from the builder, the salesperson or an interior decorator at the company’s colour selection centre, depending on the company. Or you may be referred directly to the company’s chosen suppliers who will typically have a showroom and lighting experts available to help you.

Do a little homework on your own. Browse the internet, look through magazines, visit a few stores for general information and ideas. Ask the builder or lighting centre if they have any written information or product catalogues they can lend you.

Make sure you understand exactly what the builder is offering in a standard package, so you know what is already included in the price of the home.

If you decide to upgrade your lighting, set an overall budget. Tell the builder or supplier how much you want to spend, and what areas of the house are most important to you. They will be able to help you allocate your budget wisely.

Have the plans of your new home on hand. If the location of electrical outlets is pre-determined, make sure they are marked on the plan. If there is some flexibility, find out how much, and at what cost, if any.

Also, have samples of the interior finishes handy such as paint colour, carpeting, counters, cupboard doors, and so on. Different colours and textures absorb or reflect light differently, and fixtures can be recommended to suit.

Go through the entire house plan room by room. Determine the activities and tasks that will take place in each; the furniture and any special features to be highlighted, and the mood you want to be able to create.

Consider the controls. Dimmers, 2, 3 or 4 way switches, handheld controls, motion sensors and timers can give you greater convenience, safety and security than plain switches in the right places. Ask for recommendations.

Give thought to the extra little touches like door-activated closet lighting, built-in night lights in hallways or on stairways, and accent lights in kitchen cupboards and for bookcases and shelves.

For the exterior, decide which areas to light for safety and convenience, and also where lighting can enhance the appeal of your home and draw attention to special features, such as brickwork or windows.

If you are interested in automated lighting, ask your builder or lighting expert. Options range from small, self-contained systems that allow you to pre-set lighting patterns for portions of your home, to complete whole-of-house automation systems with a multitude of applications.

Consider energy efficiency in your choices, from fluorescent or LED light options to timers and sensors with automatic turn-off.

Keep in mind that there may be an additional installation cost for some of your selections. Also verify with the builder that your choices can be accommodated within the plans and schedule.

Effective lighting will add to your satisfaction and enjoyment once you move into your new home. With today's choices in lighting and control options, you have a great opportunity to plan it just right for comfort, convenience and great looks.